Joint Press Statement on Japan - Myanmar Summit Meeting

April 21, 2012

1. H.E. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, held a summit meeting on April 21, 2012 to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.
   
   
2. In the meeting, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda welcomed the measures taken by the Government of Myanmar toward democratization and national reconciliation, notably the by-elections on April 1st, as well as various political and economic reforms. Prime Minister Noda also expressed Japan's commitment of continuing to support Myanmar's efforts, in order to encourage Myanmar to take further positive steps. President U Thein Sein appreciated Japan's commitment to assisting Myanmar's efforts in democratization, national reconciliation and economic reform and expressed his strong commitment to continuing its reform efforts as well as commitment to further strengthening the bilateral relation between Japan and Myanmar.
   
   
3. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda further announced that the Government of Japan reviewed its assistance policy toward Myanmar as follows and would restart its extensive assistance, bearing in mind that it is essential for the people of Myanmar to be able to enjoy the fruit of reform taking place in Myanmar.
   "In order to support Myanmar's efforts for reforms in various areas towards its democratization, national reconciliation and sustainable development, Japan will extend economic cooperation focusing on the following areas, while continuously observing the progress of these efforts so that a wide range of the people can enjoy the benefits from the dividend of democratization, national reconciliation and economic reforms;
   
   - Improvement of people's livelihood (including assistance for ethnic minorities and poverty groups as well as agricultural and rural development)
   - Capacity building, development of systems and institutions to sustain economy and society (including those for promotion of democratization)
   - Development of infrastructure and related systems necessary for the sustainable economic development"
   In this connection, the two leaders reached a common understanding on how to address Myanmar's debt issues, which would pave the way for Japan to restart new ODA loans for the sustainable economic development of Myanmar.
   
   
4. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Intent for the Development of a Master Plan for Thilawa. The two leaders also welcomed the dispatch of cultural exchange mission consisting of experts from various fields. The two leaders shared the view that it would be important for both countries to strengthen personal exchanges in various areas such as policymakers, academics and grassroots.
   
   
5. Recognizing the importance of enhancing bilateral relationship between Japan and Myanmar, the two leaders reaffirmed their intention to cooperate in the following areas;
   
   - Disaster management
   - Information and Communication Technology
   - Promotion of investment from Japan and two-way trade, including acceleration of consultations on a bilateral investment agreement between Japan and Myanmar.
   - Cooperation on energy and mineral resources such as survey, investment promotion and human resource development
   - Assistance of NEXI (US$500 million credit line) which enhances Japanese private sector's trade and investment to Myanmar.